Tech football notes - November 15, 2000

Published: Wednesday, November 15, 2000

Special teams changes

Texas Tech plans to spark its special teams this week with the infusion of several more defensive starters for Saturday's 2:30 p.m. game against top-ranked Oklahoma, Tech special teams coordinator Manny Matsakis said. Matsakis also plans to reintroduce the Strike Force punt return unit, which features senior linebacker John Norman as the deep return man instead of freshman Wes Welker.

Matsakis used the Strike Force unit once in the last two games and didn't use it in last week's 58-0 win against Oklahoma State.

''We're looking for key guys to get in there and put more speed on the field (on special teams),'' Matsakis said.

Health report

Sophomore backup linebacker Rusty Bucy has been withheld from practice this week with an ankle injury. He is questionable to play at OU. Offensive lineman Kyle Sanders (shoulder) returned to practice Tuesday at left guard after being withheld from practice Monday night.

Penalty policy

Tech's anti-penalty policy is working, apparently. Tech led the Big 12 Conference with 71 penalties in its first six games but has compiled just eight in the last two, including three against OSU. After the sixth game of the season, Tech installed punitive action against perpetrators of game penalties, making them roll shoulder over shoulder across the field. The policy makes players dizzy and nauseous.